Geophysical Evaluation of Lateral Continuity of some part of Ikere Kaolin Deposit, Southwestern Nigeria

Geophysical Evaluation of Lateral Continuity of some…
4.2 Horizontal Profiling
Result of the profile carried out is presented in the section below. The traverse is 100meters long. Four
continuous subsurface lithologic units namely; Topsoil (blue), laterite (grayish-green), Kaolin (lemon-green)
and basement (reddish purple) were established by the profile section. The results are presented in form of field,
theoretical data and 2-D resistivity structures (Figure 4a, b & c). The 2-D resistivity plot revealed a relatively
thin overburden and shallow basement across the study area.
Fig. 4a: Field Data Pseudosection
Fig. 4b: Theoretical Data Pseudosection
Fig. 4c: 2-D Resistivity Structure
V. DISCUSSION
The top soils are generally thin (within 0.3 – 0.7 m, with the average of 0.5m) in most parts and the average
apparent resistivity value is 95 Ω-m while the laterite layers are relatively thick (within 0.8 – 4.2 m, with an
average of 2.0m). The laterite average apparent resistivity value is 974.2Ω-m in some parts of the study area.
The combination of the top soil and laterite zones constitute the overburden units within the study area with an
average thickness of 2.3m. Kaolin was delineated in four of the sounding locations, however, the thicknesses of
the units were only revealed in one of the locations (VES 1) and the apparent resistivity of the units ranges
between (42 - 91 Ω-m ) with an average value of 61 Ω-m.
VI RECOMMENDATIONS
For detail exploration study of the lateral extent of kaolin deposit in Ikere – Ekiti, the area coverage of the study
should be extended beyond known surface occurrence of kaolin deposit in the vicinity. Integrated exploration
methods should be employed and pitting should be carried out to determine the thickness of kaolin layers (at
selected locations based on earlier geophysical studies) within the study area for possible reserve estimate.
VII. CONCLUSION
Occurrence of kaolin deposit and its lateral continuity in Ikere-Ekiti has being confirmed using geophysical
exploration method.
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